Outdoor Living
Duane Radford | Article & Photos
Camping for Seniors
Camping is good outdoor therapy for seniors and a means of staying connected with nature . If the 2020 camping scene was a harbinger of what might happen in 2021 , hang on to your hat and book a campsite already . I ’ ve never seen as many people out camping and enjoying Alberta ’ s outdoors as I did last year , and lots of them were seniors . One reason I mention early bookings is because numerous campgrounds were closed last year , so those that remained open were often full . For example , during a staycation in southern Alberta , I noticed that all of the campsites in Waterton Lakes National Park were either being renovated or were closed , and nearby private campgrounds were also closed , so the spillover into Castle Provincial Park was prodigious . In both Banff and Jasper National Parks , most of the secondary campgrounds along Highways 1 and 16 and beside the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper were closed , while some like Whistlers were still being renovated , so spots were at a premium . At Elk Island National Park available campsites were also in short supply and all of the rental “ oTENTiks ” were cancelled for the season . I ’ ve never seen anything like it and , until most Canadians are vaccinated for COVID-19 , expect restrictions to remain in effect .
Tenting is the most basic of all camping activities and is the most affordable way for seniors to go camping . The variety of tents on today ’ s market is huge , and there are models available that are suitable for just about any situation and literally for all seasons . While canvas tents remain popular , particularly canvas wall tents for base camps on extended trips , light-weight nylon tents are probably the most in-demand and can be easily set up by anyone . It ’ s a good idea to purchase a tent with a fly to keep it dry in case it rains . Also , be sure to pitch your tent on a level site that is drained so the floor
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